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Review and Herald, Vol. 81, No. 28.

— A. A. PROCTER
Earlier text: I Will Trust, Nor Be Afraid

Porto Rico

By B. E. Connerly; Mrs. B. E. Connerly

WE have great reason to rejoice here in Porto Rico, for since our last report to the REVIEW AND HERALD we have received the beautiful press which the brethren in the States have so generously donated to this work. The press, type, and all that is necessary to begin work came in good shape, with the exception of the Spanish accents, and we hope to receive them soon and have the press at work. It is indeed a treasure, and we wish to express our heartfelt thanks to all who donated toward it.
The work is onward here. Two men have recently begun the observance of the Sabbath; one of them, a young man, has entered the canvassing work with real zeal; and another man, a merchant, is convinced, and says that hereafter he shall close his store on the Sabbath.
Brother Moulton, of Jamaica, has come here to engage in the canvassing work, and thus another well-established Seventh-day Adventist is added to the Porto Rican field. Our hearts are very much encouraged.
MR. AND MRS. B. E. CONNERLY.

The Third Angel’s Message in Columbia

By D. E. Scoles; E. A. Merrell

Missouri

COLUMBIA.—This is the State University town, and has never been entered before by the third angel's message. It has a population of about eight thousand, and possesses many of the features of a distinctly Southern city. There is a large negro population here, and the color-line is very decidedly drawn. I think I have never seen another place where the people in general were so hospitable and friendly.
We secured the court-house yard for our tent. June 16 we began meetings, and have had an excellent attendance, sometimes many being obliged to stand during the entire service. The people are deeply stirred, and we are praying that God will raise up a monument of living witnesses to his truth in this educational center. Our camp-meeting will be held here in August. Pray for us, that the word of God may effectually work in us and in the people of this place. D. E. SCOLES, E. A. MERRELL.

WALTER G. BOND

By Walter G. Bond

Spain

BARCELONA.— The meetings and Bible readings are continued with increasing interest. The tract work is also receiving some attention. We are now having some of the tracts published here. These will cost us much less. A few are trying to live the message, for which we praise God.
Last week King Alphonso made this city a visit. Although the people of Cataluna are opposed to the king, they made great preparations for his reception. Weeks were spent in decorating, although his majesty was to remain but three hours. O that hearts could be stirred by a realization of the fact that King Jesus is soon to come! So few give their eternal welfare even one thought.
During the hour that we were in sight of the young monarch, who is under eighteen years of age, we saw him smoke three cigarettes. He also sampled some of the strong drink produced in this district. Here these evils reign from the hovel of the most miserable to the king's palace. It is said that one can travel from France to Gibraltar, or from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and find scarcely a man who does not smoke cigarettes, and not a man, woman, or child who does not drink wine. The popular Protestant churches make no objection to these practises. A sad feature is that the missionaries sent here by different societies themselves soon become contaminated, and use freely of wine. Surely, the third angel's message is the only thing that meets the demand.
Some time ago a boy twelve years of age started to attend the school. Previously he attended the government school, conducted by monks. After attending a few weeks, one evening he said to his family: “I like these people's religion better than ours.” The father said, “Tell us about it. What do they believe?” Tracts and papers on the message were given them, and Bible readings were held. As a result, the mother is now keeping the Sabbath, for which we thank God. The whole family attend our meetings. The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few.
Brother and Sister Robinson arrived one week ago to-day. We are glad to have help among the seventeen million five hundred thousand of this country. We pray the Lord to send more laborers, and by his grace we shall work while we wait.

WALTER G. BOND

Ontario Camp-Meeting

By I. H. Evans

It was my privilege to attend the Ontario camp-meeting, held at the fair-grounds, in the city of London, from June 16 to 26. The location was all that could be desired. The owners of the fair-grounds gave the use of the grounds and the buildings for the accommodation of the meeting. About one hundred and fifty of our brethren and sisters were encamped on the grounds, and found ample accommodations in the thirty tents that had been pitched, or lodging in the buildings near by.
Scarcely a discordant note was sounded throughout the entire meeting. The business was done with dispatch, and yet there was free discussion on nearly all propositions. One beautiful feature of the proceedings was the absence of negative arguments. Nearly every speaker spoke in favor of the plan proposed, whatever it might be, and often added much interest to the question by his timely remarks.
Their president, Elder G. B. Thompson, having been called to Washington, D. C., to assist in the General Conference work, it became necessary to select a new president. It was with deep regrets that our brethren in Ontario parted with Brother Thompson, who had so recently come to help them in their work. After much prayer and due consideration, it was thought best to release Brother Thompson, and Elder A. O. Burrill, from the New York Conference, was the unanimous choice of the people to fill this position.
Brother Kirkendall, of Ohio, was with us a few days, as well as Elder Thurston, president of the Canadian Union Conference, and these brethren added much to the interest of the meeting by their ministry and influence.
The meetings were spiritual, and marked with much of God's blessing. Nearly the whole camp covenanted to a renewed consecration to God's work.
At the close of the Sunday night public service our people were asked to remain a little time for prayer. It was a solemn hour. Each minister made a few well-chosen remarks, and all promised to lead a better life. Then came a season of earnest prayer. God was very near and greatly blessed. The influence of the Spirit of God seemed to touch every heart. Truly it was good to be there, and with regrets we bade adieu to those we had learned to love.
To me it seemed one of the very best meetings I ever attended. Nine or ten were baptized Sunday morning. During the meeting the outside interest was not large, but a goodly number were present on Sundays.
Much attention was given to their conference school, known as the Lorne-dale Academy. The conference voted to sell five thousand copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” to help equip their school with the necessary accommodations. Elder Leland was reappointed as the principal of the school for another year. They intend erecting an addition to the large dwelling-house, for a dormitory, that they may accommodate more students. They have fifty acres of land, thirteen miles from Toronto, with a large stone house and three large barns, together with a nice variety of fruit, most of which is in a bearing condition.
Ontario greatly needs this school. She has no place where she can train her young people for any branch of God's work. For years all her young people have been compelled to come to the States if they attend one of our denominational schools. Often they become Americanized, and do not return to their home field. When this school becomes thoroughly established, we believe they will have many workers trained in their own territory who will enter the ministry and other branches of the work.
We rejoice to see what God has done in establishing his work in Ontario, and hope to see marked prosperity in days to come. I. H. EVANS.

South and North Dakota Camp-Meetings

By R. A. Underwood

The first of these meetings was held at Canton, S. Dak., June 13-19, a workers’ meeting having preceded the camp-meeting proper. The meeting was held on the bank of Soo River, on grounds fitted up by the Epworth League. Our camp was about five minutes’ walk from the center of the town. There was a good supply of outside ministerial help, and meetings were held daily in three different languages. The attendance from Canton was not large, yet a good many heard truths they can never forget. During the meeting sixty-five dear souls were buried by baptism in the Soo River. About fifteen hundred dollars was raised by cash and pledges for local and outside work. Elder C. A. Burman was re-elected president of the conference.
The meeting in North Dakota was held at Harvey, June 20-26. Here, as at the former meeting, daily services were conducted in three different languages. The larger number present were our German brethren, the most of whom came to the meeting by private conveyance. Over two hundred horses were employed and about one hundred and fifty wagons and carriages to bring our brethren and sisters to the meeting. Some of these came from one to two hundred miles. The attendance from Harvey was very good. Before the meeting closed, fifteen were baptized. About fifteen hundred dollars was raised in cash and pledges for home and outside work. This, as in South Dakota, was about equally divided between the State industrial school and the General Conference work. Elders Farnsworth, recently from Australia, and Anderson, from Africa, added much in the efforts made at these meetings to help our brethren to look upon the wide world as our field of labor. Elder John Walker was re-elected president of the conference.
At Canton, S. D., also at Harvey, N. D., laborers were left to follow up the interest. Eternity alone can tell the results of these annual camp-meetings. Our brethren should seek to make the most of these gatherings by means of the press and all other agencies to reach the people who know not the truth for this time. Our brethren returned to their homes with courage and increased faith in the message God has given this people for the world.
R. A. UNDERWOOD.

A. J. HAYSMER

By A. J. HAYSMER

Barbados

BRIDGETOWN.—Our conference began May 29. The Lord is with us by his Holy Spirit. We have hired the best hall in town. We have had between six and seven hundred at each meeting. We have good music and singing. We have a good organ, three cornets, two violins, one flute, and one mandolin. The papers are noticing our meetings. I spoke on God's eternal purpose concerning this earth and mankind. Monday night Brother Wellman spoke on the Word of God and the prophecies, illustrated by Daniel 2, 7, etc. Last night Brother Kneeland spoke on the sanctuary, or God's plan of salvation in the old dispensation. The subject to-night is God's plan of salvation in the New Testament.
We hope to lift the work here during the conference. There are some natives whom we should put to work, as I do not know what we can do to cover our field without them. We are seeking the Lord for union and wisdom, that everything may be done to meet the mind of God; and I believe he will be glorified.

A. J. HAYSMER

The Iowa Camp-Meeting

By E. W. Farnsworth

THIS meeting was held at Colfax, and was attended by eight hundred Sabbath-keepers. This was about one fifth of the church membership in the State. Only about one half of those who did come were there at the beginning of the meeting. There were one hundred and twenty-four family tents, and five large meeting tents. Quite a number obtained rooms in the sanitarium building near by.
The weather was all that could be desired. Only one or two showers fell, the days and evenings were cool, and every external circumstance connected with the meeting was such as to make it enjoyable and successful.
Meetings for the young people were conducted by Brethren Luther Warren and Floyd Bralliar, and others, and children’s meetings were also held by those appointed for that purpose. God blessed all these laborers, and quite a number were converted and brought to the Lord. Thirty-two persons were baptized.
Recommendations were passed favoring the following propositions: First, to place at the disposal of the General Conference one half of the laborers and one half of the tithes of the Iowa Conference for the extension of the work in regions beyond, and that the policy of the conference in the future be to use the forces and resources of the conference as a training and recruiting ground for needy fields. Second, that a fund of fifteen thousand dollars be raised during the coming year; that fifty per cent of it be devoted to the work at Washington, fifteen per cent to the work in the Southern field, and the remainder to be applied to local work. Recommendations were also passed encouraging the canvassing work, the missionary work, the medical work, and also the Sabbath-school and young people’s work. The Sabbath School Worker, The Signs of the Times, and The Southern Watchman were each recommended as being worthy of special consideration and effort to increase their circulation. The educational and young people’s work received earnest and careful attention. The Bible training-school at Des Moines was encouraged to go on with its work, which has already been so successful. The sanitarium, the health food factory, and the industrial school received consideration, and encouragement to continue in their respective lines of work. The preceding were the most important topics that were introduced for discussion in the conference.
There was much earnest discussion of the canvassing work, and two general agents were appointed, and a portion of the State given to each. The circulation of our missionary papers was carefully discussed, and the conference committee was instructed to favorably consider the plan of subsidizing agents to sell them.
The Sabbath-school collections during the camp-meeting amounted to $69.18. Cash and pledges were received on the fifteen-thousand-dollar fund to the amount of $842.49.
The president reported that during the past year five camp-meetings and eight general meetings had been held, and that two hundred and fifty-four persons had been added to the churches. Still the records showed that on account of numerous removals, and from other causes, the church membership had increased but little.
During the past few years Iowa has given thirty-four thousand dollars to fields beyond its own borders. This has been a great blessing to the conference; but after careful consideration, the brethren deliberately voted that the time had come when traditional policy should be abandoned, and that they should act as though the third angel’s message must be given to the whole world. For this reason they said to the General Conference, “You may take one half of our men and one half of our money for foreign work.” Such a step seems to the writer to indicate faith that this message must go to all the world, and that we are debtors to it.
The same spirit was indicated by another recommendation. The conference voted to take their annual camp-meeting to one of the largest cities in the State next year. For about twenty-eight years the camp-meeting has been held at or near Des Moines, and the other large cities in the State have never had the benefit of these great gatherings. We believe the plan adopted by our Iowa brethren is one that should prevail in all our conferences. To locate a camp-meeting year after year in a certain locality, simply because it may be convenient for our own people, is surely acting selfishly. These meetings have two objects in view,—first, they should be a great blessing to our own people; second, they should be used to bring a knowledge of the truth to the people in the cities where they are held. If they fail in either of these purposes, it is a serious loss. Camp-meetings should be made great missionary conventions.
The camp-meeting in Iowa this year was a blessed occasion. It will be remembered by those who attended it as an oasis in their Christian experience. Many more ought to have been there. Those who did not come can never know what they have lost. God gave his servants great freedom in the message they bore, they were blessed in giving it, and the people were blessed in receiving it. To me it was in every way a most pleasant and enjoyable occasion. It was in this conference that I began my ministerial labors, and was ordained. When called to other fields fifteen years ago, I was acquainted with nearly all the brethren and sisters in the State, and after these years of separation to return and renew old acquaintances and make new ones, was a very pleasant experience. The conference has greatly changed since I went away, and yet its members still love God and the message. Many of the older believers are with us no longer, and duties and responsibilities have come to younger hands. When Moses, at the age of one hundred and twenty, dropped the burdens he had carried so long, Joshua, a young warrior, took them up, and the people showed a just appreciation of the situation when they said: “All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we harkened unto Moses in all things so will we harken unto thee.” Joshua 1:16, 17. The cause suffered no real loss. The time had come for change. It comes to us all, and happy are the men in responsibility, and happy the people, who can adapt themselves to the situation.
I shall long remember my visit at the Iowa camp-meeting with great pleasure.
E. W. FARNSWORTH.

Annual Session of the Maritime Conference

By W. H. Thurston

This meeting was held June 2-12, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the church building recently erected on the corner of Ontario and Maynard Streets. The weather was fair during part of the meeting, and the Spirit of the Lord so brightened the foul weather that there was no complaining.
The attendance was good, nearly all the churches being represented, and the evening and Sunday services were well attended by those not of our faith. All seemed to realize the need of more of the Spirit’s power, and to this end we labored, and our efforts were not in vain. The manifestation of the Spirit of the Lord was apparent at the very first, and the meetings grew better till the close of the session.
Elder M. D. Mattson, of South Lancaster, was present during the entire time, and rendered valuable help. His Bible studies and discourses were much appreciated by all. The instruction was all very practical, and in the studies of the signs of the times, present truth, and the message to the world in our day, the importance of a personal experience was made emphatic. All entered heartily into the study of the Word, and the shout of victory and triumph was heard day by day.
The business of the conference was clearly defined at the first business meeting, full instructions were given concerning the relation and responsibility of individual members to the conference and its work, and the business was all transacted in the spirit of the Master. S. D. Hartwell was present most of the time, audited the books of the conference, and gave some instruction in different phases of our work, which was gladly received.
The treasurer’s report showed some increase in finance, as a whole, over the previous year, and it is believed that there will be a marked increase this year not only in finance, but in all departments of the work in the conference.
The missionary spirit was received into the hearts of all present, and as these return to their homes, those privileged to attend the meeting will also become partakers of the same spirit. All hearts being knit together in love, there will be full assurance of understanding, and the work will go forward unitedly and harmoniously.
The Farmington industrial school closed its first year’s work with May, and plans for the future of this school were carefully considered. It was proposed to change the time of the school year, having it begin in March instead of September, and having the vacation in the winter instead of in the summer. In the meantime, while this change is being brought about, and other matters adjusted, Miss Gertrude Williams has been secured to teach in the Farmington school.
All departments of the work were carefully considered, and the outlook is hopeful. The business of the conference was finished in the early part of the session, and the time was largely devoted to Bible study and spiritual work. Many said it was the best meeting ever held in the maritime provinces, and all went home feeling that it had been good to be there.
A very solemn service took place at the west arm of the harbor on the fifth day of the meeting, when two willing souls went down into the water, and arose to walk in newness of life.
At the close of the second Sabbath afternoon service Brethren Fred A. Tracy and James G. Hanna were ordained to the gospel ministry. The prayer was made by Elder M. D. Mattson, and the writer gave the charge, and extended the right hand of fellowship. The Lord came very near by his Spirit during this service, and many wept for joy. The people tarried long after the service closed, and talked over the things which they had seen and heard. These brethren have the confidence of the conference, and their prayers and moral support for their success in the sacred, solemn work of ministering to souls.
After careful consideration, it was voted to turn the book business over to the Canadian Publishing Association, with the understanding that a branch office will be established as soon as practicable.
Elder Wm. Guthrie was elected president of the conference, and Alberta McLeod was re-elected secretary and treasurer. The conference committee is made up of the following-named persons: Wm. Guthrie, W. R. Andrews, J. Greer Hanna, Alvin Hubley, and J. C. Porter.
The people all went home from the meeting resolving to be and do better, and the conference laborers have gone to their fields of labor with renewed courage and hope in God, believing that the whole conference will act their part, under the guidance and in the power of Christ, in accomplishing the work committed to them.
W. H. THURSTON.

Improving the Moments

By Mrs. J. W. Philmon

I THOUGHT, when I ordered one hundred copies of the special Watchman, that I would do extremely well to sell that many, as I have a large family and many home cares; but I have sold them all, and now wish you to send me one hundred more. I made only three efforts, and sold every one. I sold thirty-seven in just a little while one morning. One afternoon I went to the post-office with thirty on my arm, and sold every one. The next afternoon I sold the rest in less than two hours. I want to sell all that I can.
I have sold a great many of our different books here, and have done it in the few hours that I could spare from home duties; but I have learned a most valuable lesson from the way I have had to work, and that is to take special care of the moments, that none go to waste. I have learned also a wonderful lesson in planning my work so as to have some time to do “the work that lies nearest our doors.”
I know that God has taught me these lessons, and I praise him for it. I like to handle our literature, and only wish I had more time to spend in that way.
MRS. J. W. PHILMON.

The Ohio Conference

By H. H. Burkholder

Report of the President at the Lake Union Conference.

I WILL not attempt a long report, but in a few words will endeavor to set before you facts showing that we are making some progress in the Ohio Conference.
Our conference was organized in 1863, and at present we have a membership of 2,250, with eighty-five organized churches. We have seventeen ordained ministers on our pay-roll, fourteen within our own borders, one in China, and two in the Southern field. Thirty missionary licenses have been issued to as many different persons, who are serving the conference in various ways under the direction of the conference committee. Five churches have been organized and five buildings erected during the past two years. Two annual camp-meetings have been held, well attended by our people, at which seven men were ordained to the work of the gospel ministry.
I can truthfully say that as far as I know, the laborers of the conference are a band of happy, contented men and women, believing that our only safety depends upon keeping close to the old landmarks, which have been tried and tested and proved true. These principles are carried into every department of conference work. I sincerely believe that we are making spiritual as well as numerical and financial progress.
I will now submit a few figures that may prove an item of interest in my report:—
1902 1903 TOTALS
Tithe $19,064.29 $22,584.42 $41,648.71
Weekly offering 692.05 818.32 1,510.34
Sabbath-schools 832.01 970.51 1,802.52
Annual offering 1,356.42 1,610.41 2,966.83
Mission Board 597.65 1,087.37 1,685.02
Haskell and Jas. White Homes 369.79 338.63 708.42
Mission work in United States 656.76 782.29 1,439.05
Totals $23,568.94 $28,191.95 $51,760.89
Two years ago an indebtedness of four thousand dollars was hanging over our Tract and Missionary Society department. It is a pleasure to announce to you to-day that through the blessing of God and the untiring efforts of the secretary of this department of our conference work, we are clear and free from this financial burden. I must not forget to mention one thing that materially helped us in our financial struggle, that is a cash policy. Neither has it retarded our work, and we like it. During this effort to rid ourselves of debt, this department has sold books, tracts, and periodicals to the amount of twenty thousand dollars.
There has been another debt hanging over us for a number of years. It is the debt on our Mount Vernon Academy. On July 1, 1902, our books showed an indebtedness on this institution of $15,145.16. May 1, 1904, the books show that this debt has been reduced to $7,292.50. This shows that we have paid on this debt, $7,852.66.
We have realized from the sale of “Christ's Object Lessons” during the past two years $6,400. The total amount received from the sale of “Object Lessons” from the beginning, and applied on the debt of the academy, amounts to $9,800.
From a small beginning the work of the academy has grown until within the last two years we have been unable to accommodate the young men and women who applied for admittance. Scores have been turned away. This we very much regret. To-day we feel proud (in a good sense of the term) of the work that has been done at our academy.
The church and Sabbath-school work has been gradually growing, and we are hoping to see better results follow our future effort along all lines of work. I might say more, but have perhaps said enough for this occasion and at this time.
H. H. BURKHOLDER.

The Burning of Piedmont Sanitarium

By J. O. Johnston

The following article from the pen of Elder G. I. Butler, which appeared in The Southern Watchman of June 28, will be of interest to all:—
“It is possible that many of the readers of the Watchman may have heard of the burning of the sanitarium at Hildebran, N. C., on the night of June 7. We received a telegram containing this sad news, and it affected us even to tears when we thought of the ardent efforts, the untiring labor, and the poverty and difficulty under which our dear brethren had struggled there. And now their institution was just ready to take in patients, some of whom were on their way to it,—wealthy people,—when it burned down. The loss was as much as three thousand dollars.”
“The fire was very mysterious, beginning on the outside of the house. No fire had been in the house for many hours. It occurred about ten o’clock at night, and it was but a few minutes from the time the alarm was given by the crying of a sick child [It was Miss Hazel Gibbs, a trained nurse from the Battle Creek sanitarium, but at this time a patient in one of the upper rooms, who first gave the alarm of fire] before the whole structure fell in. The inmates barely escaped with their lives.”
“At our recent executive committee meeting at Huntsville, this great affliction was considered. After a careful hearing of all the circumstances, its effects upon the cause, etc., it was unanimously resolved that our people should assist in re-erecting the sanitarium on the cottage plan, that the beneficent work of healing the sick, and of placing the suffering where they can be reached by the truth for this time, might begin.”
“The affecting circumstances connected with the destruction of this institution have excited the deepest sympathy among many of our people in North Carolina, and no doubt it will be so all over the field. In some respects it may be said that this event, if all will help with their means, may become a blessing in disguise. Some who have seen the building in which the sanitarium was to be located, felt that it was not really suitable for such an important institution, but it seemed to be the best that could be done by those who are on the ground, and are so afflicted with poverty. If these circumstances are properly considered, better conditions may be provided, and greater good accomplished.”
“The school in Hildebran also is in great need of money. We can not, in this brief article, go into the particulars, but it was voted that one thousand dollars should also be raised for that. More will be said in the future.”
It is yet too early to say anything definite with reference to future plans, though it seems to be the unanimous decision of all our leading brethren that the sanitarium should be rebuilt, as already stated.
To us who have struggled so long to erect in this needy field a monument that would bring glory to our God and blessings to our fellow men, this calamity has come with peculiar force. We have sometimes been even tempted to question if it were possible that we had been over-zealous in our desire to push the work forward, and had run in vain. It would be sad indeed to us if our labor should thus be wasted, and our work become unprofitable.
But the many kind words of encouragement and sympathy that we have received and are still receiving from our brethren in both North and South make us hope that we shall yet see the work in this place fully established. If our sanitarium is rebuilt, and our school put upon a more solid basis, the work of the Lord in this field will go forward in greater power than ever before, and we shall have every reason to thank God and take courage.
J. O. JOHNSTON.

The Training School Association

The first (special) meeting of the members of the International Medical Missionary Training School Association was held at Berrien Springs, Mich., May 17-20, in connection with the meeting of the Lake Union Conference. The constituency of this association is composed of the members of the following boards and committees: The General Conference Committee, the Michigan Sanitarium and Benevolent Association, the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association of Battle Creek, Mich., the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association, the Seventh-day Adventist Central Educational Association, and the Lake Union Conference.
Of this number twenty persons responded to the roll-call. This being the first meeting of the association, considerable time was occupied in answering inquiries concerning its organization, financial standing, and the contract which had been entered into with the International Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association for the lease and final disposal of its property. This opened the way for a frank statement on the part of several delegates present concerning the attitude of the people in the field toward the Missionary Acre Fund, and for an explanation of the reason why more money was not realized from that source.
The treasurer, S. H. Lane, presented his report, from which it appeared that the resources of the association were $106,122.26 and the liabilities were $93,949.17.
The following-named persons were elected trustees for the term of four years: S. H. Lane, A. T. Jones, Ezra Brackett, W. H. Edwards, P. T. Magan, and R. R. Kennedy. The board of trustees afterward organized by the choice of the following officers: President, A. T. Jones; Secretary, W. H. Edwards; Treasurer, P. T. Magan.
Continue reading: The One Hundred Thousand Dollar Fund